Day 6: Chicago, IL

Today was an adventure. I hope you have your walking shoes on because I'm taking you with me on my journey around Chi-Town. And I forgot my camera so put your reading glasses on because I'll be writing a lot.

The day began by waking up at 6, so I could take the Metra into Chicago with Mo on her way to work. She works at Hyatt in downtown Chicago. We got into Union Station and it was already hustling. Businessmen running with briefcases. Little kids crying it's too early. Homeless people asking for change. It was ca-razy. Mo and I walked to Millenium Park where we parted ways and weren't to meet for another 13 hours.

First order of business ... coffee. Eat it eyes, I need my coffee. Magically a DD popped up and I hit it hard. Large coffee and a bagel that I will enjoy on the waterfront (but really in the park because the waterfront was too far away and I was too hungry). After finding a non-homeless person area I ate my bagel with a great intensity, leaving a sesame seed path of destruction, I made my way to the Buckingham Fountain. It looked a lot like the one in Philly in the beginning of Married with Children and Always Sunny. I sat with some homeless peeps and stared for a while sipping my coffee, which hit me quickly. I ran to the public bathroom and immediately turned around after seeing two men showering in the sinks. I sucke it up and started walking to the Museums.

After about a mile walk I got the Planetarium with overlooks the skyline from the Lake. It was pretty cool. I snapped some virtual pictures and took a little break in the shade. Then I quickly remember about my bathroom sit. and continues on my way. I think I snuck into the Planetarium because on my way out I passed people taking tickets. I'm such a rebel.

By now it was around 10 and I had tons to do. My first and only tourist trip I did in the city was an Architecture boat ride, which was docked on the complete opposite side of the city. I walked along the lakefront looking at the boats taking off, hoping one might stop and take me aboard for the day. No dice. About two miles later I made it to the docks and got on the 11 o'clock trip. The ride was wicked cool. The boat travels up the branches of the Chicago River pointing out history and architecture types of the different style of buildings scattered about Chicago. Only shitty thing was the tourguide. He starts off by introducing himself. He's from Chicago and has three years of Architecture from IIT. What that tells me is that he is a college dropout who couldn't finish his Architecture degree and now he wants to talk to me about Architecture. Awesome. Then he started giving his opinions of how they should approach design problems in buildings. But he "doesn't have a billion dollars so that won't listen to him". Well it's probably more because you don't have a degree, buddy. Anyways the trip was still awesome and I'm glad I did it. It was a cool way to see the city.

Next stop was lunch, but not before a quick cat nap at the Navy Pier. It was a good nap. Not much else I have to say there. I got up around 12:30 and went to lunch at the Billy Goat Tavern. It's famous from the early years of SNL, with a John Belushi sketch (cheezeburga, cheezeburga, cheezeburga) If you don't know it, look it up. Cheezeburga was delicious. I got a double. I got some Billy Goat Lager, which I'm pretty sure was Bud Light, then tried the Billy Goat Dark, much better.

I left and was feeling kind of buzzed and thought I could walk to Wrigley. Mo said take the L, but whatever, I'm from Boston I know better, right. I got to Lincoln Park and my buzz wore off and I had to pee badly and there was no L in sight. About 40 minutes later I found some bar to pee in and got directed to an L station. Somewhere along the line I crossed the Red Line and got to the Brown Line (I needed the Red Line). So a couple line switches and I made it to Wrigley. Pretty awesome stadium . . . from the outside. I walked around the block, snapped a pic or two on my phone then got back on the L. Wicked anti-climatic.

I got back to downtown and collapsed at the Vietnam Memorial. It was about 4 and Mo was getting out of work soon so I thought I'd wait the rest of the day out there, watching some hot foreign girls take pictures of each other out of the corner of my eyes. I got a call from Mo saying she'd be busy until 7:30. I thought, perfect time to drink. So after the foreign girls left, there was nothing left for me there and I made my way to the restaurant in Millennium Park. I sat down at the bar and got a giant beer and started talking to guys next to me. They were lawyers / bartenders. Did Cocktail take place in Chicago? They were roommates with the bartender serving us. I picked a good seat. I talked with them for a while, telling them about my journey so far, and the bought me a Margarita. They pointed out my Boston accent (which I wasn't away I had, but apparently comes out after a tall beer and Margarita).

They had to take off so I turned my attention to the kids on the other side. They were from all over the globe (Tenn., Ireland, Russia, etc.), working internships at an environmental firm. I talked to them for a bit until Mo got there and the Irish kid started hitting on her. Eventually we called it a day and caught a cab back to Union Station where we caught the train with no time to spare. The doors literally closed as soon as we stepped into the train.

Now I love Chicago and wouldn't mind living there. Or at least visiting it again. Hopefully I get the chance. Thanks to Mo and Cara for their hospitality.